Fund Manager

Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund supports community groups and businesses across the Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon valleys. With £2.6m invested each year (index-linked) until 2043, we are helping to shape stronger, more resilient communities and local economies. If you’re passionate about these areas and excited by the difference this Fund can make, we would love to hear from you.

The Role: This is a senior, varied role at the heart of a small, dedicated team. You’ll work closely with the Executive Director, playing a central role in the operational leadership of the organisation. You’ll help ensure the Fund is delivered effectively, the organisation runs smoothly, and the team is well-supported and coordinated. From supporting businesses and shaping programmes to working closely with communities, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact.

You will:

• Lead on the day-to-day running of the organisation, including office management, contracts, and coordination of activities
• Support delivery of the Fund, including programme development and business/enterprise engagement
• Act as a direct support to the Executive Director, stepping in as required
• Oversee financial management and compliance, working with the Finance & Administration Officer and external advisers and accountants to ensure strong financial control and reporting
• Play a key role in assessing the financial viability of applications to the Fund, particularly business and enterprise proposals, using financial information (such as accounts and cashflow forecasts) to support robust, evidence-based decision-making.

Why this role exists & why join us: This is a rare opportunity to play a senior role in how significant long-term funding is invested to support communities and businesses across the fund area. You’ll be joining a small, agile and committed team where your work has visible and real impact. The role offers a high level of autonomy, trust and variety, with the chance to shape both day-to-day delivery and longer-term programmes.

Working closely with the Executive Director, you will play a central role in the operational leadership of the organisation and the role combines hands-on operational responsibility with meaningful place-based work—supporting businesses, shaping and developing programmes, and working closely with communities across the Fund area. Most importantly, your work will directly contribute to strengthening local communities, supporting business growth, and helping to build a more resilient local economy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a senior role within a small, committed team, working closely to support the Executive Director. It plays a central part in the operational leadership of the organisation, helping ensure the Fund runs smoothly, effectively, and with real impact.

The role combines hands-on operational responsibility with meaningful place-based work—supporting businesses, shaping and developing programmes, and working closely with communities across the Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon valleys. It is a varied and influential position, offering the opportunity to help drive how significant funding is invested to strengthen local economies and communities.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Fund Delivery

• Support the Executive Director in the overall running and coordination of the organisation
• Ensure effective planning and delivery of the Fund’s programmes and activities
• Manage contracts, suppliers, and organisational spend within agreed budgets
• Oversee office operations and ensure smooth day-to-day functioning
• Support governance, Board reporting, and compliance requirements
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures to ensure effective and compliant operations
• Line manage the Finance & Administration Officer and support wider team coordination

Programme, Community & Enterprise Work

• Support and assess business and enterprise applications, with a focus on financial viability, sustainability, and impact
• Review applicant financial information (e.g. accounts, cashflow forecasts), providing analysis, challenge and insight to inform decisions
• Offer constructive feedback and signpost applicants to appropriate support where needed
• Work alongside colleagues who lead on community applications, with a particular focus on business and commercially-focused proposals
• Build strong relationships with businesses, partners, and stakeholders across the Fund area
• Help shape and develop programmes that respond to community and economic needs

Financial Oversight & Assurance

• Oversee organisational finances, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place
• Ensure clear and reliable financial information is available to support decision-making
• Work with the Finance & Administration Officer and external accountants on:
  • Annual budgets and cashflow forecasting
  • Management accounts and reporting
  • Year-end accounts and audit
• Maintain oversight of the loan portfolio and financial risk
• Ensure appropriate financial controls, compliance, and reporting
• Apply financial insight to support assessment of funding applications and portfolio risk

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Organised, proactive, and able to manage a varied workload
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a small team
• A strong communicator, able to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Interested in supporting businesses, communities, and impactful programmes

Salary & Benefits

• £36,400 – £40,560 (pro rata) / 6% pension contribution / 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with service

Further Information

• Full-time: 37 hours (part-time considered, minimum 0.6 FTE) / Flexible working (minimum 2 days per week office-based, plus community working)
• Permanent position / Office currently in Treorchy (may move within the Fund area)

Closing date: 18th May (5pm)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS

Desirable

• A formal financial qualification is welcome but not essential.

SKILLS & APTITUDES

Essential

• Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal skills.
• Good practical IT skills with a demonstrable competence in Microsoft Applications.
• The ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise appropriately.
• The ability to plan with attention to detail.
• The ability to problem-solve and deliver solutions appropriate to both the situation and time-scale.
• The ability to travel throughout the Fund area of benefit and elsewhere as required.

Desirable

• Financial management, organisational ability and an awareness of legal issues in relation to business and finance management.
• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh.

EXPERIENCE of:

Essential

• Experience in a senior or deputy role with operational responsibilities
• Experience supporting programme delivery, project delivery, or grant-making processes
• Strong organisational, planning, and problem-solving skills
• Experience reviewing or interpreting financial information (e.g. accounts, budgets or forecasts) to assess viability, risk or sustainability
• Working in a small team and being willing and able to work flexibly.

Desirable

• Experience overseeing organisational finances, budgets or financial processes (with support from finance administrators or external advisers)
• Using Xero or similar accounts packages, managing organisational budgets and reporting.
• Enterprise development and management, OR advising and supporting new and developing enterprises.
• Implementation of due diligence and risk control systems.

KNOWLEDGE – a good understanding of

Desirable

• The business sector and context in Wales and the south Wales Valleys
• Grant/loan making and the required administrative processes.
• The voluntary sector, social enterprise and community development.